FROM PETER >> ... excellent work ... children are our greatest asset ...
Now THERE'S someone who "gets it!" Thank you, Peter VE7NGP!
FROM CLUELESS >> ... Too bad its happened many times before ...
Huh? "Too bad?" Let's get some facts out here.
YES - SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY ARISS contacts were completed before ours at Flabob last week.
That is 720 groups of students learning more about their respective countries' space programs.
That is thousands of classroom hours learning more about space and amateur radio.
That is 720 audiences anxiously hearing - at first - no response from the ISS. But then, upon the second
or third attempt to contact via amateur radio - a palpable "feeling of awe" from all in attendance when an
astronaut first replies.
That is 720 audiences wildly applauding after the completion of their contacts.
There are about three entities who can schedule radio time with the ISS: the various space programs
involved, the various departments of defense involved, and AMATEUR RADIO via these ARISS
contacts.
There is not a single student nor audience member nor amateur radio volunteer who thinks anything less
of their contacts with the ISS - simple because "it has happened many times before."
I have 211 attendees who are extremely proud to have been "Number 721" last week.
So, to the person who wrote, " ... Too bad its happened many times before ... " - Either you are totally
unaware of how wonderful these projects are for all involved, or have never been involved first-hand in such
a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I cannot think of any other reason one would make such an ignorant
comment.
Clint Bradford, K6LCS
http://www.iss-flabob.com
909-241-7666